League hits Pnini with fine, suspension for calling rival a Nazi

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Guy Pnini of Maccabi Tel Aviv was fined and suspended by the Israeli Basketball Association for calling an opposing player a "Nazi."

The IBA also said that Pnini must perform 20 hours of community service in an institution that assists Holocaust survivors, the Times of Israel reported. He was suspended for four games and fined more than $2,500.

Pnini was caught on camera during a November game against the rival Hapoel Tel Aviv team shouting at Jonathan Skjodebrand, a blond Israeli of Swedish descent, "You piece of garbage, bastard, German Nazi … cancer in your head, your father should die.

After the game, Hapoel Tel Aviv filed a complaint with the IBA.

Maccabi Tel Aviv stripped Pnini of his captaincy and fined him $26,000 days after the offense.

Pnini apologized for his court behavior after the incident

“I apologize to Jonathan and his family and to Maccabi Tel Aviv, my teammates and any sports fan who was offended by what I said," he said. "I would also like to apologize to my family who are Holocaust survivors. I’m ashamed of myself and of the way I acted.”

Fans of the Hapoel Tel Aviv soccer team in March sang Holocaust songs during a match with Maccabi Tel Aviv, according to reports, and also have done so during basketball games.